DETERMINATION OF CADMIUM IN LOW-COST JEWELRY FROM CHINA

This study aimed to determine cadmium in low-cost jewelry from China. In the qualitative test the sulfide was used as precipitating agent. Due to the strong interference of copper in qualitative analysis, this element was removed by chemical reaction or electrolysis. This removal was of paramount importance for the qualitative analysis of Cd2+. Quantification of Cd2+ was performed by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration of Cd was ~ 30% (w/w) in one of the pieces. It is noteworthy that in a small universe of low-cost jewelry analyzed (four samples), such a high cadmium content found in one of them leads us to think that jewelry containing Cd are widespread among citizens. This work can be useful to approach the case study method for teaching Analytical Chemistry at the undergraduate level.